# Integrating Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fulvic Acid into Winter Vegetable and Greenhouse Cropping Systems

- Link: https://rd2.co.nz/mycorrhizal-fungi-winter-vegetable-greenhouse-systems/
- Published: 2025-07-04T07:09:52+00:00
- Author: RSF Admin

We are privileged in Aotearoa, New Zealand to be able to grow a wide range of winter
vegetables and crops throughout the year and although growers are faced with a multitude
of challenges regardless of where they are in the country, over 90%* of many of 
our largest crops are grown for the domestic market. Indeed New Zealand is self-
sufficient in fruit and vegetables. 
_*Source: Horticulture New Zealand_

As growers, producing high-quality food goes hand-in-hand with safeguarding the 
environment in which those crops are grown.  High quality produce means stronger
yields and taking care of the soil ensures sustainable production for the grower,
long term.

In this blog, we explore practical and proven ways to boost yield and crop quality–
while protecting your soil and reducing input costs.

### Mycorrhizal fungi for healthy soil and produce

Healthy soil is teeming with a complex ecosystem of worms, fungi, bacteria, and 
other microorganisms. The earth can’t sustain winter vegetable crops without them,
and the addition of beneficial organisms will be a significant element to maintain
the integrity of your soil.

Rootella will introduce your crops to Mycorrhizal fungi, a family of beneficial 
fungi that work symbiotically with your crops’ root system. These fungi create a
vast network of fine strands (hyphae) that extend into the soil, improving root 
access to water and nutrients, while also enhancing disease resilience.

When used during planting, Rootella, Mycorrhizal fungi will give your crops improved
access to water and nutrients, especially phosphorus which is often locked in the
soil or washed into our water systems.  The result: stronger, more resilient crops
with reduced reliance on synthetic inputs and an increase in dry matter yields.

Together, these microorganisms help maintain a healthy soil microbiome, acting as
a biological shield in the rhizosphere to reduce the risk of harmful soil-borne 
and water borne pathogens.

**Did you know:**

 * Rootella contains the highest propagules of Mycorrhizal fungi on the market
 * The organisms in Rootella are native to New Zealand
 * Glomalin, a substance secreted by Mycorrhizal fungi, is where Carbon Dioxide (
   CO2 ) is stored in the earth, so not only would you be helping your soil health
   but also sequestering atmospheric carbon too.

### How can you utilise these biological strategies?

We have five Rootella products to suit all growing situations, but for farmers who
are sowing seed crops such as carrots, parsnips and sweetcorn, [Rootella F](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Rootella-Information-Sheet-042025.pdf)
is perfectly suited.  Early Mycorrhizal inoculation of seed at germination immediately
improves the seedlings’ access to nutrients and water, and in particular phosphorus
and nitrogen, allowing the plant to thrive, with potential reductions in synthetic
fertiliser use and associated negative environmental impacts.

Allium crops do extremely well with their mycorrhizal symbionts and even crops that
do not form mycorrhizal associations can still benefit from biological solutions
and brassica’s are a prime example.  Recent trials in Canterbury showed that Kale
seed treated with Superzyme achieved a higher average dry matter of **17.85%**. 
While dry matter isn’t a specific quality indicator for horticultural retail markets,
it certainly shows an increase in yield for the grower and can correlate with better
shelf life and firmer texture – both valuable attributes for producers and retailers
alike.

### Greenhouse Production and Fulvic Acid

Commercial greenhouse vegetable production is well established in New Zealand and
according to HortNZ and Plant & Food Research, this is a key growth area – especially
as land becomes more constrained in many growing regions across the motu. We have
come to expect vegetables like tomatoes, capsicums and cucumbers at any time and
greenhouse production ensures this year-round availability.

Greenhouse environments are well controlled but growers still face challenges like
nutrient lock-up, root stress and pathogen / disease pressures.  Our Fulvic acid
product, [Mobilizer](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Mobilizer-Product-Information-Sheet-042025.pdf),
is a natural plant electrolyte that mobilises minerals to make them available to
plants, especially in systems where pH or EC fluctuates. 

Mobilizer, Fulvic acid, can significantly enhance photosynthesis by improving the
plant’s efficiency in using available CO_(2. ) It does this through enhanced stomatal
conductance, increased chlorophyll production for greater light absorption, and 
improved delivery of key nutrients essential for photosynthetic enzymes like Rubisco.

No matter what growing system or application you’re using — fertigation, hydroponics,
foliar sprays, soil applications or seedling dips — Mobilizer (fulvic acid) works
to improve nutrient efficiency, supporting healthy roots and microbes, and boosts
resilience to environmental stress. Mobilizer also helps reduce input waste and 
crop variability, making it a smart addition to any vegetable production plan,  
seamlessly integrated into existing crop routines.

![Fulvic Acid Yields](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/qK1t33Zo.png "
Integrating Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fulvic Acid into Winter Vegetable and Greenhouse
Cropping Systems 1")

For field crops Mobilizer is often added pre plant into soil or with seed or seedling
plantings and can also be utilised via fertigation schedules every 7–14 days to 
support consistent nutrient uptake reducing blossom-end rot risk of outdoor tomato
crops. In leafy crops like lettuce or herbs, foliar applications during early growth
stages help boost chlorophyll and reduce stress from transplant shock or fluctuating
temperatures.

For hydroponic systems, Mobilizer mixes easily into nutrient reservoirs at low rates,
greatly improving nutrient availability without affecting EC or pH. It can also 
be used as a root dip for seedlings in nursery before transplanting to encourage
stronger early root development.

Ready to increase yields and protect your investment?  Talk to us today about integrating
these biological solutions into your growing operation and the many trials undertaken
to date.

 * ![Mycorrhizal Fungi](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Rootella-F-
   250g-pouch-Mycorrhizal-Fungi-300x300.jpg "Integrating Mycorrhizal Fungi and Fulvic
   Acid into Winter Vegetable and Greenhouse Cropping Systems 2")
 * Rootella F – Mycorrhizal Fungi (New Zealand Native) – 250g Organic
 * $179.79
 * Rated **5.00** out of 5 based on 5 customer ratings
 * [Add to cart](https://rd2.co.nz/mycorrhizal-fungi-winter-vegetable-greenhouse-systems/?output_format=markdown&add-to-cart=7454)
 * ![Mobilizer-Fulvic Acid-Electrolyte-Organic 18.925L](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/
   uploads/2017/11/Mobilizer-Image-18.925L-98.4KB-300x300.png "Integrating Mycorrhizal
   Fungi and Fulvic Acid into Winter Vegetable and Greenhouse Cropping Systems 3")
 * Mobilizer-Fulvic Acid-Electrolyte-Organic 18.925L
 * $439.21
 * [Read more](https://rd2.co.nz/product/mobilizer/)
 * ![Superzyme - Beneficial Fungi & Bacteria - Organic](https://rd2.co.nz/wp-content/
   uploads/2017/11/Product-image-with-2026-label-300x300.png "Integrating Mycorrhizal
   Fungi and Fulvic Acid into Winter Vegetable and Greenhouse Cropping Systems 4")
 * Superzyme – Beneficial Fungi & Bacteria – Organic
 * $226.83
 * Rated **5.00** out of 5 based on 2 customer ratings
 * [Add to cart](https://rd2.co.nz/mycorrhizal-fungi-winter-vegetable-greenhouse-systems/?output_format=markdown&add-to-cart=5164)
